Members of American Merchant Marine Veterans, Inc. (AMMV) and U.S. Merchant Marine veterans from World War II attended Memorial Day ceremonies in Washington D.C. on Monday.
The United States government honored the men and women of the U.S. Merchant Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving aboard U.S. merchant ships during times of military conflict at several National Memorial Day ceremonies in Washington D.C. on Monday.
Members of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, Inc. (AMMV) and U.S. Merchant Marine veterans from World War II were in attendance and recognized at Arlington National Cemetery and later participated in the National Memorial Day Parade. They also participated in a ceremonial a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The ceremony was attended by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Family members of the late Sheldon C. Meade, a World War II Merchant Marine veteran, laid a wreath to represent the U.S. Merchant Marine. Ordinary Seaman Meade was killed when about 100 German bombers surprised dozens of merchant ships anchored in the harbor at Bari, Italy on December 2, 1943. Most of the Allies’ ships in the harbor were damaged or destroyed, including the Liberty ship, the SS John Harvey. The Liberty ship was carrying 2,000 mustard gas bombs that were ordered by a British general to retaliate against the enemy if chemical munitions were used during WWII. When the John Harvey was bombed, it exploded and released mustard gas that killed thousands of military personnel, merchant sailors, and civilians.
Members of Seafarers International Union presented the U.S. Merchant Marine flag and escorted AMMV members during the solemn event.
“On Memorial Day, Americans should salute fallen U.S. Merchant Mariners, including more than 9,500 Merchant Marine officers and crew members killed in action or missing at sea during World War II, who served in war zones under the command of U.S. military sealift operations,” said AMMV president and active U.S. Merchant Marine Capt. Darin Huggins.
“Laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day and participating in the National Memorial Day Parade are fitting tributes for our nation to honor thousands of U.S. Merchant Mariners who gave their lives during military conflicts.”
A memorial wreath honoring fallen U.S. Merchant Marines was placed before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as part of Memorial Day ceremonies.
SIU Color Guard members display the U.S. Merchant Marine flag during a Memorial Day ceremony in Washington.
